…As death toll rises to 11 unarmed women allegedly shot by the Nigeria Army
By Hanny y, Yola
The Pene Da Bwatiye Development Association (PDBDA) Worldwide has expressed profound grief and outrage following renewed violence between the Tchobo and Bwatiye communities in the Rigangun and Waduku areas of Adamawa State.
The association, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the latest attacks that erupted despite ongoing peace efforts facilitated by the Adamawa State Government, traditional elders, and the Gongola People’s Forum.
According to the PDBDA, tensions escalated on December 7, 2025, when several Bwatiye settlements allegedly came under attack in connection with a dispute over a reportedly stolen motorcycle.
The group accused members of the Tchobo community of “persistent provocation,” including disrespect for traditional authority, repeated violations of peace agreements, and refusal to submit to lawful conflict-resolution processes.
The situation worsened on December 8, 2025, when peaceful protests by Bwatiye women turned tragic. The association alleges that soldiers deployed to maintain order opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, leading to the death of 11 women and a 10 years old girl.
It described the incident as a “grave and unjustifiable atrocity,” likening it to a similar security operation by the Nigeria Air Force in December 4th 2017 that resulted in significant loss of lives in the region.
Condemning the conduct of the military personnel as “criminal, unprofessional, and a blatant violation of human rights,” the PDBDA outlined several non-negotiable demands aimed at ensuring justice and restoring public confidence. These include:
Immediate identification, suspension, and prosecution of all soldiers involved in the shootings.
An independent public judicial inquiry into both the killings and the wider security failures leading up to the incident.
A formal apology and comprehensive compensation for the families of the deceased and other victims.
Redeployment of the implicated military units, to be replaced by disciplined and impartial personnel.
The association called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and the Chief of Defence Staff to intervene urgently to prevent further loss of lives and escalation of hostilities.
While mourning the victims, the PDBDA reaffirmed its commitment to justice, accountability, and lasting peace, urging authorities to act decisively to restore trust and stability in the affected communities.
